If you experience anxiety, is it because you’re not trusting God? This question drifts through the minds of many Christians, and the best place to turn for the answer is God’s word.
According to National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), anxiety disorders affect about 40 million American adults a year, causing them to feel filled with fearfulness and uncertainty for an extended period of time.
As a person who struggled with how to handle anxiety for many years, I can remember the fear of not knowing when or where it would strike; the sick stomach; loss of appetite; sleepless nights; attempts to avoid whatever could invoke it.
Nothing helped me overcome anxiety (meaning, not be overcome by it) until I gave up control, turned over my life to God and accepted Jesus Christ as my savior. It required complete trust, and I can only describe the change as “total.”
“Few souls understand what God would accomplish in them if they were to abandon themselves unreservedly to Him and if they were to allow His grace to mold them accordingly.”
–St. Ignatius Loyola
Does Anxiety Mean Not Trusting God?
In her post The Cause and Cure for Worry, bible scholar Joyce Meyer says that worry is the opposite of faith–it steals our peace, physically wears us out and can make us sick.
She writes:
Worry is caused by not trusting God to take care of the various situations in our lives. Too often we trust our own abilities, believing that we can figure out how to take care of our own problems.
Before studying the bible, I didn’t know the security of God’s word and that He always keeps His promises. I didn’t know verses to pray in times of need and that I could choose, by faith, to trust His word and not the fearful thoughts.
This makes all the difference, because Jesus said we can’t serve two masters. We either choose to trust God’s truth in times of fear, or we choose to trust fear.
Do not tremble, do not be afraid. Did I not proclaim this and foretell it long ago? You are my witnesses. Is there any God besides me? No, there is no other Rock; I know not one.
– Isaiah 44:8
“‘Fear not’ is the most frequent command given in the Bible,” says Monica Reynolds, a Master of Divinity student at Wesley Theological Seminary. “Some estimates tell us that the Bible mentions fear, worry, or anxiety over 500 times.”
When anxiety looms, it can feel like a huge step to trust that God is mightier than what attacks us. Yet God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-discipline. (2 Tim 1:7)
“I believe that anxiety, or generalized fear, is probably the biggest detractor from many us reaching God’s purpose in our lives,” Reynolds adds.
Trusting God over Anxiety
When we feel the first flashes of anxiety, we can brace ourselves for disaster (no security), or we can take it as a sign to turn to God (security), believing Jesus’ promise: “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”
–Deuteronomy 31:6
Call it out!
Senior Pastor Deano Ishiki of Calvary Chapel San Mateo says that in our ‘fallen state’ (yes, even as Christ followers), God equips us with safety mechanisms that provide warning signals–such as anxiety–so that when dangers arise, we will turn once again unto His mercy seat.
He adds that in 1 John 4:18, God promises His “perfect love which casts out fear (and anxiety).”
This perspective on anxiety made me realize something: Anxiety may be a warning sign to turn to God, yet if we linger too long in it, we end up turning away from God and toward the anxiety. Battling anxiety and worry in faith means holding on to the truth, over and over again, however long the battle lasts. Sure, it may feel uncomfortable while it lasts, but we know there will be an end.
It’s not easy, especially in the midst of our worst anxiety, but we are told that the testing of our faith produces perseverance. (James 1:2-3)
“Understand that the enemy always fights the hardest when he knows you are closest to your breakthrough. He’d leave you alone if he thought you were going to live in mediocrity. If you keep pressing on toward your promise, through faith and patience, you will get there.”
–Joel Osteen
If you’re reading this right now, feeling consumed by fear and dread, searching for answers, know that you are not alone. Our God saves.
“When I am afraid I will trust in you.”
–Psalm 56:3
{ 14 comments… read them below or add one }
Jen – While I turn to God (from years of practice) when I am anxious, I have never considered that the actual sense of anxiety is God’s way of communicating with me. It certainly makes anxiety a less fearful idea when you consider that God may be generating it to get your attention and call you to action, maybe even to connect with Him and seek His truths. Wonderful post…thank you!
Hi Jen, happy to see another one of your wonderful posts again! I missed reading this blog.
I definitely suffer from anxiety sometimes and I’m guilty of relying on myself to solve my problems. Thanks for the reminder that we should trust our lives to Him.
Beth — I know! This never crossed my mind either that God could use anxiety in any way. It took me days to pray about and think about this. It has opened up a new and–as you said, less fearful–perspective on it.
Hua — Hello! Same here. Whenever I go my own way, it gets worse, not better. I still feel the temptations come on to get really nervous about things, some of the sensations may even start to kick in, and what a comfort it is to trust Him instead of what tempts me to worry. It literally turns the feeling from a tsunami into a manageable wave.
“When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul.”
–Psalm 94:19
Thank you. This was much needed today. I don’t really like J. O. But like the comment he made. Especially one made by St. Ignatius Loyola.
Here’s one but I don’t know who said it. Sin like like a hole you have to keep filling up. The bigger is gets the more dirt you have to shovel into it. (a repeating growing cycle)
I agree. I feel that God only allows anxiety to tell you to do something or to teach you to trust in Him. However, even though I do believe this, I cant figure out what it is. How can I figure out what God wants from me? How do I know Im doing what He wants? I feel like Im doing my best to follow the path He has laid out for me, but I still get nervous and anxious…is there something Im missing. Dont get me wrong Ive prayed and thought about this, and Ive put my trust in God, and things have gotten better. But it seems like there’s still these lingering bursts of nervousness and thoughts that I cant seem to control. Then, I pray and trust in God and they go away, but still return. I thought after praying and trusting in God to take away the fear and worry, all these issues would go away for good? I really appreciate your posts Jen. They really helped me at the peak of my issues and still.
Katie — I used to always think about that and even felt like I couldn’t understand what God’s plan was for my life, but I realize the more I stay in the word, the more clearly I hear His voice and feel convicted by the Spirit about which way to go. This is verse came to mind when I read your comment: “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.”
Fear and worry… remember that it’s a battle. We’re in the world, but we’re not of the world, as Jesus said. (John 15:19). So when fear and anxiety and these things come on, we have a place to turn, but we have to turn there over and over and over, holding on to our faith to fight the battle and not turning toward and trusting in the fear and anxiety. Trials may not disappear, but how we react to them, deal with them, think about them does change. And when things from the past or regrets tempt us to fear, we have to remember that when we are saved, we are given a NEW life in Christ. We have all sinned, but we must repent, accept our Savior and look forward, move forward in love, not backward. (See Luke 9:62) We all struggle with this, but we’ve been given everything we need to overcome it!
Thank you for responding Jen! You are so helpful!
Hi Jen,
I must say that you have a wonderful way with words and definitely God has chosen you to take this path and make a difference in so many lives, by bringing people back to him and his word as HE is the only way and the only truth…. the only security against everything. Thank you.
I ran into your site today and believe that nothing is a coincedence when it comes to things like this. I read many of the posts here, as well as those at another blog you had dating back and have been inspired by you and find that the exchange with others and with you have truly made a difference. I hope that sharing my words will do the same even if just for one person out there.
I was raised in a Christian home and although I may not be versed and may not have exactly followed all the steps I should have faith was always a big part of my life… God has always been in my heart and has always been my strength. (And no matter where my life has wandered, God’s children always come back… and he always welcomes us with open arms!)
I have experienced my issues with anxiety here and there throughout my adult life, but thankfully, I have always been able to pull through with some moments being harder than others… but still find solid ground. During the last few years, I have experienced more difficult times (i.e., my divorce of three plus years ago and now being a single parent). I have found more moments of difficulties with anxiety given insecurities, loneliness and worries that can pile up. I also find that with the failure of my past relationship, I also have a harder time in current relationships and find yet another battle with insecurity and anxiety with that. (I did try meds right after my divorce and that seemed to subside some physical aspects of anxiety, but… I pulled away from the meds eventually and have always found that coming to God and meditating in him has been the only sure thing.)
I have to share with you and with any others that read this that even with all I have said above that I have applied as principles in my life and also feel have been accomplishments against anxiety… STILL, there are moments even today that I find can feel like a battle for me against what I know is true… which is that God is always with me in every step I take and I should not fear. I ask myself many times why do I still battle against this when my heart is with God? Why does anxiety still get the best of me and why is it sometimes so hard to let it go and give things to God?
It is so hard to battle against these feelings of anxiety that sneak up on you and even when you know and have faith… yet, you still physically have to battle against it. My friends… it is a constant battle, but always a constant victory and accomplishment when you place God in control.
I thank you Jen, the posts of those who write here and so much that is derived from it. Specifically, when I read the following comments you have above… it hit close to home and brougth me back to a secure place when I was specifically having a bad day today. ( I have re-copied them below )
“It’s not easy, especially in the midst of our worst anxiety, but we are told that the testing of our faith produces perseverance. (James 1:2-3)” [We can only become stronger when we press on in faith and keep putting God in control!]
As well as this one:
“Understand that the enemy always fights the hardest when he knows you are closest to your breakthrough. He’d leave you alone if he thought you were going to live in mediocrity. If you keep pressing on toward your promise, through faith and patience, you will get there.”
–Joel Osteen
Right now… I am dealing with some anxiety and must admit that I had found myself having trouble letting go of it and giving it to God. Finding you all on here has made such a difference for me today and I know that it is God’s way of using you all to speak to me and reassure me like he always does. God Bless you all… thank you from the bottom of my heart!!!!
Cee
I thank you and those that comment on here for sharing their thoughts, inspiring scriptures and kind words of encouragement. Please keep doing this and keep sharing as it does make a difference!
Thanks for sharing what was on your heart Cee! Whenever fear is creeping at my door, it does comfort me to know that I’m not the only one too… just like the LORD tells us:
No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. (1 Corinthians 10:13)
God bless you sister
This was so hepful! I now know to give all my problems to the Lord all Mighty, Jesus Christ!! Thanks again!
your very mature !you look very young in pict!im glad to know im not the only one who struggles with faith in this way has been an eye opener for me
Just found this as a bit of inspiration when feeling anxious:
“The more you pray, the less you’ll panic. The more you worship, the less you worry. You’ll feel more patient and less pressured.” — Rick Warren the Purpose of Christmas
Please pray for me for healing. And my marriage. I am having very hard time please pray that god touch me. So stressed
This is amazing, really spoke to me, thank you so much!